There are many reasons. But the biggest reason is Sam's appalling response to the 2004 election scandal. What he should have done was to respond with complete openness, like Johnson & Johnson in the face of the Tylenol crisis. He should have forthrightly acknowledged the collapse in election integrity, and led the parade to investigate causes and institute solutions. Instead, he responded with spin, happy talk, denial, cover-up, dismissal of inconvenient facts raised by critics, and propagation of false and misleading information. To this day his office is STILL denying the incontrovertible evidence of illegal vote counting by election officials, while the happy talk continues.
Think of Sam as the PC character in this commercial:
Sam Reed has irredeemably discredited himself and his office. How can any of us trust him again?
1. I am moving on. I just voted for Reed. This sour grapes stuff is bad for the GOP.
Posted by: Jan on October 23, 2008 04:15 PM
2. Could also be a commerical for Chris(tine) on she is trying to spin her $3.2 billion dollar deficit...
Posted by: Glenno on October 23, 2008 04:24 PM
3. I am moving on too. I just voted AGAINST Sam Reed. The heart of our elections crdibility lies with him. If Democrats wnat to steal elections, they will have to put up their OWN stooge as SOS.
Posted by: pbj on October 23, 2008 04:24 PM
4. Nice try, "Jan" (who has posted enough comments here to make clear that he/she is a non-Republican political insider).
Demanding honesty and competence from election officials has nothing to do with partisanship. It's about preserving a democratic process that we can all believe in.
5. Stefan is right on the money.
And let me add that the frosting on the cake for me was Reed hiring Nick Handy.
What a joke.
Posted by: Mr. Cynical on October 23, 2008 04:28 PM
6. Stefan Sharkansky for SoS.
Posted by: Al on October 23, 2008 04:28 PM
9. I'd like to vote against Sam Reed, but I am constitutionally incapable of voting for a Democrat anymore. Their is no longer a party that can be counted as the loyal opposition; they are downright venomous in their hatred of the country that has given them so much. They have even gone so far as to try and undermine our military during a time of active war.
No, I won't be voting for any Democrats ever again, no matter how lame the Republican might be.
10. Pierce County irregularities already, their mail in ballots are coming back in bulk becuase so large, saving money - - - - - - - - - - - - - - and have no postmark. Think about that in abotu 12 days.
Posted by: PierceWatcher on October 23, 2008 04:42 PM
11. "First in a series"? You've been peddling this sort of anti-Reed stuff for years.
Posted by: TMW on October 23, 2008 04:47 PM
12. Currently, there is no such thing as a GOP. Within the true definition of that acronym lies an entity totally different from what's being peddaled currently as Republican. Very sad...a complete transformation and re-introduction is in order. :)
Posted by: Duffman on October 23, 2008 05:12 PM
14. Will Nick "Not So" Handy go away, too, if Reed does? He's even worse than Sam "Broken" Reed.
Posted by: starboardhelm on October 23, 2008 05:20 PM
15. Reed is just another government bureaucrat. He lives off the taxpayer dollar, does his job half ass, blames everyone else and is somehow always around when it comes time to get a raise/re-elected. He wants to be a part of the "in" crowd in Olympia so he cow tows to the Democrats and the media. Time for Mr Reed to get a real job where you are held accountable for your poor performance. I am afraid that we are going to witness another 2004 type election.
I say change is change and I will now be voting for two Democrats (whatever the guys name is that is running again Reed and Brian Sonntag).
16. Agreed. He doesn't deserve another term.
Posted by: Don on October 23, 2008 07:03 PM
17. Reed is a dishonest, incompetent, Dimocrat-collaborating RINO. I did not cast a vote for any SOS candidate in the primary and will do the same in the general election.
Milquetoast Reed could have done so much more to restore public confidence in Washington state elections. Instead, he wimped out, as do so many of Washington's RINOs.
Stefan did an outstanding job of "outing" Reed (and many others) in the days, weeks and months following the stolen 2004 governors election. And NO, I won't just "get over it".
Posted by: Saltherring on October 23, 2008 07:07 PM
18. I will leave my ballot blank next to SOS and not vote for anyone.
From what I have read, his opponent has not proven to be worthy.
19. I have no problems voting for a competent democrat. I don't know enough about Sam's opponent (apparently he's not advertising in my area).
I've voted for other dems when they picked the better candidate and will do so for SOS if that turns out to be the case. Otherwise, I will follow others here and choose not to vote in that race. Sam has disgraced the office and does not deserve my vote.
20. Those were all of the reasons I voted against Sam Reed. If word on the street is any indication he is going to be ousted in a landslide. Then it is up to everyone who has a voice to make sure the next holder of that office knows the reason Sam was bounced.
Anyone seen any boatloads of tea? I feel an urge to party.
21. I will be writing-in Sharkansky for Secretary of State.
Posted by: 5.62 on October 23, 2008 08:35 PM
22. I have been against Reed for years. Now, to quote another political luminary... it looks like his chickens are coming home to roost.
Posted by: Hinton on October 23, 2008 09:17 PM
24. Sharkansky!
Posted by: Silkworm on October 24, 2008 07:14 AM
25. Have you heard or read anything from Reed's opponent? He doesn't have a clue about the role of the Sec of State and some of his comments about elections are downright communist. You people are nuts if you're supporting him...I understand the lingering anger from 2004, but Reed understands his role and carries it out. His opponent doesn't have a clue (and by the way, he really wants to run elections in King County...that would REALLY be a nightmare).
Posted by: Do no harm on October 24, 2008 08:10 AM
26. When the R acts like a D or worse, an Acorn activist, you might as well have a D in there so the D's can be targeted.
Sam's attitude about the primary system, EVERYone should be allowed to choose the nominee for ANY party even if they aren't a member, really stinks. As a Libertarian, I have to say this top 2 primary is a pain, we'd have a Libertarian for SOS, but for the top 2.
I've talked w/ Sam before about voters and desiring informed and motivated voters to vote. His attitude is to get 100% voter participation, even those who think Obama's running mate is Palin....
Sam's time to retire is now. I can't say I'm voting for the D, but I will NOT vote for Reed again. I'll probably go no-vote.
By allowing felons on the voter rolls, he is implementing Acorn's platform...
27. Reed is disgusting and is not about to take the bull by the horns with handling any situation. All about "happy talk" as stated so many times. It is tough to tell the Dems from the Repubs around this state, all you can do is vote against the incumbent. I am delighted to vote against Sam Reed and Hans Dunshee. OTOH, Sonntag seems to be doing a good job. Regardless, you MUST vote. So many people have died giving us that right, so many people in this world would kill to have this right. We need to exercise it to the best of our ability and we need to exorcise those that pollute it. I hope its good by Reed, hope the door doesn't hit you too hard on the way out.
Posted by: mike on October 24, 2008 02:37 PM
28. I don't know what's the point of writing in Sharkansky or a no vote if the goal is to get rid of Reed. It just ensures Reed gets another term, and that he'll probably run again. Did he even have opposition from the GOP in the primary? I'm for letting Osgood screw up and then get a real challenger next election.
29. Nice guy...well dressed...Cougar..but where's MY vote? I concur, his outrage was underwhelming. Meanwhile, re-ensconced in Los Angeles County, I'll have Dean Logan doing the counting again! I'll keep SP updated. Posted by: KFIBryan on October 24, 2008 06:09 PM
30. "but Reed understands his role and carries it out."
Lying about this scumbag is no way to get him votes.
He MAY "understand his role" but he does damned little to carry it out.